The Master Antioxidant Defense of Your Brain: Glutathione

 The Master Antioxidant Defense of Your Brain: Glutathione

Many brain problems, including Down syndrome, schizophrenia, neurodegenerative diseases, brain injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases, are influenced by free radicals and oxyradicals.
The brain's master antioxidant, glutathione, is vital for brain health.
Dr. Jimmy Gutman asserts that "The brain is particularly susceptible to free radical attack because it generates more oxidative by-products per gram of tissue than any other organ."
An imbalance in glutathione metabolism and antioxidant defenses is a hallmark of many mental and neurological diseases.
Injuries to the brain can trigger neuronal death through oxidative damage and the production of free radicals.
Reduced cerebral glutathione (GSH) makes cells more susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be caused by chemicals that are harmful to certain brain cells. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) overexpression, in contrast, significantly reduces cell death following brain damage. The Distinction Between Men and Women Regarding Brain Injury and Glutathione
Males and girls react differently to brain damage, according to researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. (3) In animal studies, glutathione levels stay the same in females after a brain lesion, whereas they decrease by up to 80% in males.
Brain cells die at a considerably faster rate when glutathione levels decline. This provides more evidence that the potentially life-saving treatments needed for brain injuries in males and girls may differ.
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor, may be useful in treating brain damage in boys whose brains are oxygen-deprived. NAC is currently authorized for use by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat acetaminophen overdoses.
Is There a Hereditary Factor for Brain Disorders and Glutathione?
It is not whether we develop Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, but when we do, according to geneticists who have discovered that the glutathione S-transferase gene regulates the onset of these diseases. (4) Studies have shown that pesticide users are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease if they have the glutathione S-transferase gene.
The role of glutathione in PD was discussed in an earlier piece.
This page provides information about glutathione and Parkinson's disease.
Glutathione and Alzheimer's Disease
Degenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's, are thought to originate in neurons and are caused by free radicals and oxidative damage.
A pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the buildup of amyloid-ß peptide (Aß) in senile plaques, which has been linked to neuronal degeneration.
Oxidative stress, which is the buildup of free radicals, is exacerbated when amyloid plaques invade the brain. "Mopping up" the harmful free radicals are antioxidants like vitamins C and E.
Substances that deplete glutathione (GSH) accelerate cell death, but glutathione precursors can halt cell death caused by amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. (5) There is mounting evidence that the blood concentration of the amino acid homocysteine is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
The main causes of Alzheimer's disease in persons who do not have a hereditary predisposition are cholesterol and homocysteine, which are mainly brought about by leading an unhealthy lifestyle.
Andrew McCaddon, a general practitioner in Wales, demonstrated that brain function and "cognitive impairment" were worse in Alzheimer's patients whose homocysteine levels were higher because their glutathione levels were lower. (6) Mood Disorders and Glutathione
Research has shown that the mood stabilizer valproate, which is used to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy, controls the expression of the genes responsible for making glutathione-S-transferase (GST).
Another frequently given mood stabilizer for manic-depressive disorder, lithium, similarly raised GST levels when taken chronically.
These results suggest that glutathione S-transferase could be a new target for medications that stabilize mood. (7) Relating to Glutathione and Alcohol Use
Abuse of alcohol is associated with an increase in cell death in the brain and impairment of memory and other cognitive abilities. Alcohol use reduces the formation of new brain cells and increases cell death, according to a recent rat study. There was no discernible change in brain cell creation or cell death in rats given alcohol and Ebselen, a glutathione peroxidase mimic and free radical scavenger, as seen in the (8) aforementioned rats.
Chemicals that Preserve Brain Cells by Raising Glutathione Levels
Because it is hydrolyzed in the stomach before entering the cells, supplementing with glutathione does not increase levels of glutathione in the cells themselves.
Glutathione precursors or dietary supplements, as well as intravenous glutathione therapy, can effectively increase glutathione levels within cells.
Amazing and speedy effects have been demonstrated in people with Parkinson's disease who have received intravenous glutathione injections. Many Parkinson's disease symptoms resolve quickly, sometimes within 15 minutes, with simply a single intravenous glutathione treatment.
Precursors of Glutathione: The addition of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor, to a regimen that reduced homocysteine levels through basic B12 and folate supplementation led to rapid, dramatic, and long-lasting clinical improvement in almost all patients in the Alzheimer's study performed by Welsh GP Andrew McCaddon. (9) Turmeric, or cucurmin, is an Indian curry spice that possesses neuroprotective properties due to its capacity to stimulate the enzyme hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), which shields neurons from oxidative stress, according to research. When curcumin is applied to astrocytes, which are cells in the brain, it results in an upregulation of glutathione S-transferase and HO-1 protein expression. (10) Ebselen: This synthetic antioxidant and glutathione peroxidase mimic has multiple uses, including protecting neurons from damage and preventing cell death caused by free radicals. It has the potential to shield brain cells from alcohol's neurotoxic effects. (8) Undenatured Whey Protein: People with Parkinson's disease have reported anecdotal improvements in their symptoms, and clinical research have demonstrated that undenatured whey protein increases intracellular glutathione levels.
Here are some references:
First published in 2004 in volume 88, issue 3, pages 513–531.
2. Volume 87, Issue 6, 2003, pages 1527–1534, Journal of Neurochemistry.
Thirdly, pediatric academic societies report that male and female brain cells die at different rates. Official announcement; 21-Apr-2004
Volume 12, Issue 24, pages 3259–3267, Human Molecular Genetics, 2003.
5. 123–131; January 5, 2004; Journal of Cell Biology, Volume 164, Issue 1,
"Biol Psychiatry" (vol. 53, no. 3, 2003) pp. 254–260.
7: 1477–1484 in the Journal of Neurochemistry, 2004, Vol. 88, No. 6.
Publication date: June 5, 2003; Publication date: June 24, 2003; Publication number: 100(13): 7919-24.
Psychiatry in the Elderly. 2003 Mar-Apr;11(2):246-9.
10. Is There Any Evidence That Curry May Delay the onset of Alzheimer's Disease?; APS Media Announcement; April 16, 2004
All rights reserved. 2004 Dear Priya Shah,

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